Venture further, for longer on a ‘Journey of Discovery’ in 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils its new ‘Journeys of Discovery’ brochure, featuring 11 exotic, longer voyages for 2016. These cruise holidays are ideal for those guests who have the time and curiosity to explore a bit further afield and discover even more new and exciting ports around the world. Amongst the 2016 longer voyages is a fascinating 30-night cruise ‘From Majestic Madeira to Captivating Cape Town’ departing on 5^th January 2016 aboard Boudicca and a 28-night ‘The Croatian & Italian Coast with Venice’, departing on 10^th September 2016 on Braemar.

In addition, if a guest books on one of Fred. Olsen’s 2016 ‘Exotic Fly-Cruises’, there is a chance to extend their holiday with a land-based pre and post stay. These exciting ‘Holiday Extensions’* include a two-night post-cruise trip on one of the world’s greatest railway journeys – ‘The Blue Train’ in South Africa – a three night ‘Safari Experience’ at the private Thanda Game Reserve, a four-night pre-cruise stay in Cape Town, or the opportunity to visit one of six Australian cities – Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne or Perth. These ‘Holiday Extensions’ allow guests to really discover an unforgettable destination in depth.

Guests, who book by 18^th September 2015, can also make the most of ‘Free Door-To-Door Transfers’** – up to 250 mainland miles each way – applicable on most of the cruises included in the new ‘Journeys of Discovery’ brochure.

- Black Watch's 56-night 'Peru, Polynesia & Fijian Delights’ fly-cruise, W160212, ex Southampton on 8^th January 2016.Prices start from £5,669 per person cruise-only (limited availability).

Black Watch will make her first call on this exciting cruise in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, before three stops in the sunny Caribbean. First, guests will visit Bridgetown (Barbados), then Kingstown (St. Vincent and Grenadines), and finally Castries (St. Lucia). With plenty of time to enjoy the ‘chilled out’ vibe of the Caribbean, guests will be ready for adventure when Black Watch cruises past the mountainous Pitons and reaches Oranjestad, in Aruba.

Black Watch then embarks on a discovery of South America, with stops at Santa Marta and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) and Colón (Panama). One of the ‘must-see’ highlights of this trip follows, with a scenic cruise along the awe-inspiring Panama Canal. Panama is a tiny, but diverse, country of volcanoes, rainforests, coffee plantations and beautiful beaches, on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, which is also home to one of the most important trade waterways on the globe. The ‘Big Ditch’, as the Panama Canal is known, lifts Black Watch with a fascinating system of mechanics, along the three great locks – ‘Gatun’, ‘Pedro Miguel’ and ‘Miraflores’.

Next come the ports of Manta (Ecuador), General San Martin and Callao (both Peru) – for an overnight stay – before Black Watch arrives in Nuku Hiva, the largestof the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. Guests will then have the chance to explore more mesmerising islands of French Polynesia, stopping first at Rangiroa, which is surrounded by two legendary bodies of water – ‘Moana-tea’, meaning ‘Peaceful Ocean’ and ‘Moana-uri’, meaning ‘Wild Ocean’, before moving onto Papeete (Tahiti),for an overnight stay. Tahiti is French Polynesia's largest island and offers the chance to explore lagoons, black and white sand beaches, volcanoes, and has a lively night time scene.

After further calls in sun-soaked Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Black Watch arrives in Rarotonga (Cook Islands). With the chance of a ground hog day guests then cross the International Date Line – a fantastic experience in itself – before cruising to Nuku’alofa (Tonga), Suva (Fiji), Mystery Island (Vanuatu) and Noumea (New Caledonia).

Sydney (Australia) is next, for an overnight stay – visit the famous Opera House or take a stroll along the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Guests will then disembark the ship and can either extend their trip with a post-cruise experience in Australia or fly straight back to the UK.

- Balmoral’s 34-night ‘Old England to New England’ cruise, L1608, ex Southampton on 16^th April 2016.Prices start from £3,499 per person.

This unique cruise – where almost every destination is the namesake of a place back in the UK – sees Balmoral set sail across the Atlantic, making a call to Ponta Delgada (Azores) on the way, before arriving in the small but vibrant Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda. Here guests will find shops, restaurants and wonderful views out across Hamilton Harbour. There are also plenty of spectacular beaches to relax on too.

Next is a call to St. George in Bermuda, before Balmoral makes her first of seven calls in the USA.

Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the world. The vibrant waterfront showcases the interactive Nauticus National Maritime Centre and the fascinating battleship USS Wisconsin, in service since World War II. Guests will then have an overnight stay in Baltimore – known as ‘Charm City’ – where guests can enjoy a visit to the lively waterfront area of Fell’s Point or Federal Hill, which affords fantastic views of the city skyline or take a tour to Washington DC to see the iconic White House.

Balmoral then calls into New York – known as the ‘city that never sleeps’ – for an overnight stay, before spending a day in Newport, where guests canvisit one of the many extravagant mansions of the 19^th century, when this seaside resort was a very fashionable playground for the wealthy industrialists.

A leisurely cruise alongthe Cape Cod Canal is next, before arriving in Boston, for another overnight stay. Follow the famous Freedom Trail – the best way to see the city and discover its historic significance – and take in the wealth of excellent restaurants, superb shopping and, of course, the most famous bar in the world - ‘Cheers’, ‘Where everybody knows your name!’

Next, is a visit to Gloucester, where guests can relax on the gorgeous beaches, go whale watching or try some delicious fresh seafood, Balmoral will then arrive in Portland, the largest city in Maine – the Pine Tree state – which still retains a small town charm. Discover the cobbled streets and quaint shops of the Old Port; admire the fine works displayed in the Portland Art Museum; and taste the local tipple in one of the many microbreweries or brewpubs which thrive in the area.

Balmoral will then make two calls in Canada, at Halifax in Nova Scotia and St. John’s in Newfoundland, before journeying across the Atlantic, making a call into Ringaskiddy in Ireland, arriving back into Southampton on 20^th May 2016.

All prices above include accommodation (subject to availability), all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

*Pre/Post ‘Holiday Extensions’ are subject to reaching minimum participants. To find out what’s included and for full terms and conditions, please call 0800 0355 242.

**Guests must book by 18^th September, available on fly-cruises, where flights are booked with Fred. Olsen and on all other cruises in the ‘Journeys of Discovery’ brochure, except W1610.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com Book online, call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; Saturday, 9am to 5pm; Sunday, 10am to 4pm), or visit an ABTA travel agent.